'so much more': organizers of mural project aim to end stigma around north central community
"the community is so much more than the negative that is often on the news."
sep 10 2024
3 minute read
executive director of the rainbow youth centre jacqui wasacase and elder brenda dubois look over a mural designed by métis artist geanna dunbar at the north central youth centre on tuesday, september 10, 2024 in regina.
kayle neis
/
regina leader-post
a new mural in north central regina is showing the bright side of a community that often gets a bad rap.
designed by plains cree métis artist geanna dunbar, the brightly coloured mural was installed on the side of the rainbow youth centre over the weekend in partnership with the north central community association (ncca).
“the community is so much more than the negative that is often on the news,” said ncaa executive director pat faulconbridge in a recent interview. “it’s a vibrant, diverse community and we wanted to put something in the community that would demonstrate that.”
elder brenda dubois, who has lived in north central for most of her life, helped oversee the mural project and is a fierce defender of her community.
“people want to see the negativity around north central, that’s all they’ll see,” said dubois in an interview tuesday. “if they choose to go to north central and see the beauty, you will see and feel it.”
dubois recalled a conversation between two boys about north central being considered “the hood.”
she takes issue with that characterization.
“quit labelling north central as the only place that potentially has a hood. you have a hood in every section of this city,” said dubois. “the only way you’re going to find the truth about north central is to actually get to know people from north central and you’ll find that they are caring people.”
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dubois was requested by dunbar when the ncca was looking for an elder’s input on the project.
“she is so generous and genuine and comes from such a strong place of resilience,” said dunbar. “it’s a gift to have her in any situation … she kind of keeps all of us grounded.”
dubois offered suggestions on what she felt needed to be included in the mural, and emphasized that it had to tell the whole story of the community.
the mural is heavily influenced by indigenous culture — adorned with beadwork-style flowers, buffalo, and northern lights — while also incorporating colours from the transgender flag.
although the mural was designed by dunbar, many small hands helped to paint it. since may, kids from the community have been learning different techniques from dunbar to create the community-grown mural.
executive director of the rainbow youth centre jacqui wasacase and elder brenda dubois stand in front a mural designed by métis artist geanna dunbar at the north central youth centre on tuesday, sept. 10, 2024 in regina.
kayle neis
/
regina leader-post
in an effort to keep herself “out of trouble,” dunbar has been doing community work with kids and youths in north central for more than 20 years.
“there were many opportunities that i didn’t get growing up that i like to be able to create for children,” said dunbar. “it’s very important for us to go into these spaces and show children that there’s more to life … there are other ways to make it.”
dunbar echoed dubois’ comments about the community, arguing that a lot of negativity stems from racism and a lack of education.
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“all people see is what’s on just bins or on the internet,” said dunbar. “they don’t understand there are families living there. there are amazing things happening.
“educate your kids. educate your loved ones. systematic change is what will cause our city to progress in a positive way.”
while many supporters of north central see its young people as the future of the neighbourhood, dubois says they are the now.
“they’re a gift to us that we have to invest in and i am so extremely proud, not only of the opportunities that have been created for them, but also the call to action that youth have taken visibly in our community to do great and beautiful things.”
faulconbridge says many young people from the community see north central as a strong, positive place in which to grow up and live.
“they care for each other and, no matter what sort of experience they’re going through in their lives at the time, people really do care for one another and the people who live in north central,” said faulconbridge. “they’re proud of their community and the mural really does speak to that.”
a mural designed by métis artist geanna dunbar located at the rainbow youth centre on tuesday, sept. 10, 2024 in regina.
kayle neis
/
regina leader-post
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